United Kingdom finally bans tobacco advertising

By:
Lynn Eaton

Tobacco advertising was due, finally, to be outlawed in the United Kingdom on 14 February, although there will still be tobacco sponsorship of sports for another two years and some advertising will be possible at the point of sale of cigarettes.

The change in the law marks the end of a long, hard battle by campaigners, including the BMA and Action for Smoking on Health (ASH). It had been progressing through parliament under the 1997-2001 Labour government. But after the 2001 election, when Labour was re-elected, it was mysteriously dropped from the legislative timetable, despite being in the party manifesto.

Amanda Sandford, research manager with ASH, said it was “great” that the law was at last being enacted: “It is important because we know that advertising works. It encourages people to continue to smoke.”

She said tobacco companies were known to launch campaigns or to offer money-off tokens around the